Wire-fence stretcher



Sept. 25

G. SMITH WIRE FENCE STRETCHER Filed July 6, 1921 61 .101 neg? Patented Sept. 25,

GRANT SMITH, OF BLUEFIELID, "WEST VIRGINIA; IVIARGARET 3. SMITH ADMINISTRA- TRIX or Git-Ana SMITH, DECEASED.

WIRE-FENCE sraErcHER.

Application filed July 6,

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, GRANT SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Blue- 'field, in the county of Mercer and Stateof j 'tion, as to permit the efficient stretching of a wire fence by a single individual. [7

A further object of the invention is the provision of a wire stretching device of the above described character, which specifically embodies an elongated frame, portably mounted, and including novel wire stretching apparatus. 7

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specificatiom'and in which similar reference characters designate correspondingparts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the ir proved wire stretching device in operation foretretching a woven wire fence.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the wire stretching device in operation.

Figure 3 is a transverse cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figured is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of certain details of the wire stretching apparatus.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred enbodiment of my invention, the letter A designates the improved wire stretching device, comprising a frame B, and wire stretching apparatus C mounted thereon.

I The improved wire stretching device A is preferablyused in connection with a fence post- D, anda clamp E affixed to a section of the wire mesh F, as will be specifically set forth. Q Q

The frame B, preferably includes a pair of longitudinal side members 10 and 11, converging toward an end, at which point theextreme ends of the members 10 and 11 are 1921.v Serial no iaayeer rig'idly connected by abar 12, extending over the extreme ends of the members 10 and ll. A bar 13 preferably connects the rear end of'the side members 10 and 11, said bar 13 being greater in length than the bar 12 to form the convergence of the members 10 and 11. lnternrediate bars 14 may be conveniently positioned parallel to the bars 12 and 13, as desired. In order ;to sufficiently brace the frame structure 13, a pair of longitudinal bars 15 and 16'are provided for parallel disposition between the side members 10 andll; the same'being' affixed to the end bars 12 and 13, an'd the interme diate bars 14: in any preferred manner;

A wheel 17 having an 'axlel8 rig-id therewith v is I mounted upon the longitudinal center of the frame B, as by the ends of the axle 1S engaging in suitable bearing straps 20, beneath the side members 10 and 11 It is preferred that the wheel: l'Tbe relatively large in diameter, and located at the front end of the frame B, in such manner that the outer periphery of said wheelis spaced within the frame B, and'adjacent the; bar 12. Supporting members substantially V- shaped in formation are aflixed to the rear of the frame B in vertical position, and "immediately below the longitudinal members v 10 and 11. Each of the members 21 and 22 has a vertical leg 23 extending downwardly immediately below the transverse brace or v bar 13, and an inclined leg 24 connected to the lower endof leg 23 and inclined upwardly and away from said leg 23 for attachment to the bar-'14.

A stay rod25 is slidably attached by means of a strap 26 to the vertical leg 23 of the supporting member 22, and preferably upon the outside edge of said supporting leg The stay rod 25 is provided with an upper outwardlyihooked end 27, adapted for normal disposition over the longitudinal member 11, as shown by the dotted lines in.

FigureB of the drawingslVhen in this position, a epointedend28 of the stay rod 25 is held suspended above the ground surface over which the improved wire stretching device A is: positioned. i i i However, as beforestated, thestayrod Q 25 is capable of turning and sliding within the strap 26, in such mannerthat said stay rod 25 may be driven down into engagement in the ground surface forattachment of the frame 13. However, in operation, the brace bar 30 will be arranged upwardly at an acute angle with respect to the side members 10 and 11, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, and the forward end'32 of the bar 30 is necessarily cut at a bevel;

Regarding the wire stretching apparatus C, a drum 35 adapted to receive a cable 36 is rotatably mounted upon a rod 37, extending transversely of the frame B, and engagin in the members 10 and 11. It is preferred that the drum 35 be disposed between the intermediate longitudinal braces 15 and Cable hooks 38 and 39 are likewise pivotally mounted upon the bar 37, and upon opposite sides of the cable 36, said hooks 38 and 39, however, lying in the frame structure B. A hand operated lever 40 is preferably pivotally mounted upon an extending end of the drum 35, and provided with a ratchet tooth 41, adapted for engagement with the teeth 12 upon the wheel 13; which wheel is preferably formed integral with the drum structure 35. In connection with the wire stretching apparatus C, a dog 4L5 is pivotally mounted upon the top of an intermediate brace bar 1%, and adapted to ride over the teethtQ of the wheel 13, as the wheel 43 isrotated by the operating lever 40; r

In operation, the wire fence clamp E is fashion, until the forwardbar 12 engages a side 48 of thepost D, and opposite that side of the post facing the clamp E. The frame I B is then placed in longitudinal alignment with the direction of the fence F, substantially as illustrated in Figure 1 The stay rod 25 is next driven intothe ground as hereinbefore described, thus bracing the rear of the frame" B against swingingmovement incident to stretching of fence F. The

. brace rod 30 is next pivotally and slidably positioned on the cross rod 31, until the same can be lowered for engagement against the side 48 of the postD, for upwardly bracmg the frame B against the post D.

The cable 36 is next unwound from the I Windlass or drum 35, trained about a pulley hook 19, and at the free end is securely attached to the cable hook 38. The operator then oscillates the lever 40, so that the tooth 41 will engage the teeth 42 and rotate the drum 35 to wind the cable 36 thereon. The pulley hook as is placed to engage the clamp E which is attached to the fence F to be stretched. and as the lever 40is oscillated upon the extension of thedrum 35 the cable 36 is wound upon the drum 35 sojthat. the fence F will be drawn by means of the clamp E toward the post D, to which the fenceis to be attached. The pawl 45 is provided for cooperation with the teeth 12 to maintain the of the invention'herein shown and described,

without departing from the spirit of the inv vontion or the scope of the claims.

I claim: 1. A wire stretching in combination a frame, a transporting wheel mounted within said frame, ground.

engaging means on said frame, a brace rod. pivotally and slidably mounted on said frame for cooperation with said ground engaging means to brace the wire stretcher, and wire stretching apparatus on said frame.

2. A wire stretcher, comprising in combination an elongated polygonal shaped frame, a wheel mounted within said frame adjacent one end thereof, ground engaging means adjacent the other end of said frame, and a' brace rod slidably and pivotally mounted on said frame adjacent said transporting wheel for cooperation with said ground engaging means to brace the wire stretcher.

3. A wire stretching device comprising a supporting frame, a'supporting wheel carried at the front end of said frame arranged in a-plane centrallyv of said frame, a" rod at the opposite end of said frame having a drum rotatably supported thereby, a cable carried by said drum, hooks carriedby said rod upon each side of the drum thereon, a rod transversely carried by said frame intermediate the ends of the latter, and a.

adjustment by sliding transversely on said rod.

GRANT SMITHQ device, comprising 

